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The Sounding of the Whale: Science and Cetaceans in the Twentieth Century
by D. Graham Burnett&“This wonderful book documents the interplays among science, conservation and politics in the evolving career of the whale over the last century.&” —William Perrin, Senior Scientist for Marine Mammals at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Service From biblical times, whales have breached in the human imagination as looming figures of terror, power, confusion, and mystery. In the twentieth century, however, our understanding of and relationship to these superlatives of creation underwent some astonishing changes, and with The Sounding of the Whale, D. Graham Burnett tells the fascinating story of the transformation of cetaceans from grotesque monsters, useful only as wallowing kegs of fat and fertilizer, to playful friends of humanity, bellwethers of environmental devastation, and, finally, totems of the counterculture in the Age of Aquarius. When Burnett opens his story, ignorance reigns: even Nature was misclassifying whales at the turn of the century, and the only biological study of the species was happening in gruesome Arctic slaughterhouses. But in the aftermath of World War I, an international effort to bring rational regulations to the whaling industry led to an explosion of global research—and regulations that, while well-meaning, were quashed, or widely flouted, by whaling nations, the first shot in a battle that continues to this day. The book closes with a look at the remarkable shift in public attitudes toward whales that began in the 1960s, as environmental concerns and new discoveries about whale behavior combined to make whales an object of sentimental concern and public adulation. A sweeping history, grounded in nearly a decade of research, The Sounding of the Whale tells a remarkable story of how science, politics, and simple human wonder intertwined to transform the way we see these behemoths from below.
The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants
by Karen BakkerAn amazing journey into the hidden realm of nature&’s soundsThe natural world teems with remarkable conversations, many beyond human hearing range. Scientists are using groundbreaking digital technologies to uncover these astonishing sounds, revealing vibrant communication among our fellow creatures across the Tree of Life.At once meditative and scientific, The Sounds of Life shares fascinating and surprising stories of nonhuman sound, interweaving insights from technological innovation and traditional knowledge. We meet scientists using sound to protect and regenerate endangered species from the Great Barrier Reef to the Arctic and the Amazon. We discover the shocking impacts of noise pollution on both animals and plants. We learn how artificial intelligence can decode nonhuman sounds, and meet the researchers building dictionaries in East African Elephant and Sperm Whalish. At the frontiers of innovation, we explore digitally mediated dialogues with bats and honeybees. Technology often distracts us from nature, but what if it could reconnect us instead?The Sounds of Life offers hope for environmental conservation and affirms humanity&’s relationship with nature in the digital age. After learning about the unsuspected wonders of nature&’s sounds, we will never see walks outdoors in the same way again.
The Sparrows of Stonehenge
by Don FreemanThe Sparrows of Stonehenge is a new, previously unpublished children's book by the author of the well-known children's book Corduroy. Created in the year before he died, Freeman's rough dreamlike expressive images and simple text tell the story of how Stonehenge came to be – from the point of a sparrow family who have for generations lived in this ancient stone circle. Don Freeman always moved in new directions with his illustrative techniques, making this new book an adventure for readers of all ages!
The Special Gift
by Ruth DoyleA magical, festive tale of friendship, resilience and the true meaning of gift-giving. Written by Ruth Doyle and beautifully illustrated by Carmen Saldaña, this is a Christmas story to treasure year after year. On a night of swirling snow, the storm carries Donkey far from the farm where there is no longer room for him. He's lost, alone and certain he has nothing to offer the world. But when a message from a magical bird leads Donkey to follow a bright star, he finds new purpose: to reach the forest and learn what gifts and treasures he has to share.On his travels, Donkey meets other animals who are lost in their own way: a lonely lamb, an old sheepdog who longs to be useful and a robin searching for a reason to sing. Guided by Donkey, the new friends help each other to navigate the storm to safety . . .And it is there, in the forest, where they find somewhere to belong . . . and learn that the greatest gifts we can share, are those we carry inside us.This is the perfect story to share at Christmastime to remind us of the most special gift we can offer - our own kindness.
The Species Problem: A Conceptual History
by Igor Ya. PavlinovThe general notion of species is one of the most fundamental in biology. But an idea of species is also one of the most persistent unresolved obsessions of biologists, philosophers and theoreticians. This new book investigates the multifaceted problem species as a "conceptual envelope" of that notion. Contemporary conceptualists and evolutionary epistemology allow for a fresh look by analyzing the framework of history viewed as changes ordered by changing philosophical-scientific contexts. In this analysis, the species problem is characterized in a pluralistic non-trivial manner, in contrast to a more monistic "accepted view." Key Features Provides new insights into the persistent species "problem." Focuses on conceptual history and identifies pivotal landmarks in the history of the concept of species. Argues for a scientific consistency of species pluralism. Discusses the "evolving species-hood" in the context of new essentialism. Related Titles• Wilkins, J. S, et al., eds. Species Problems and Beyond: Contemporary Issues in Philosophy and Practice (ISBN 978-1-0322-2147-2)• Mishler, B. D. What, if anything, are species? (ISBN 978-1-4987-1454-9)• Wilkins, J. S. Species: The Evolution of the Idea, Second Edition (ISBN 978-1-1380-5574-2)• Sigwart, J. D. What Species Mean: A User's Guide to the Units of Biodiversity (ISBN 978-1-4987-9937-9)
The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People
by Rick BraggFrom the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All Over but the Shoutin', the warm hearted and hilarious story of how his life was transformed by his love for a poorly behaved, half-blind stray dog. <P><P>Speck is not a good boy. He is a terrible boy, a defiant, self-destructive, often malodorous boy, a grave robber and screen door moocher who spends his days playing chicken with the Fed Ex man, picking fights with thousand-pound livestock, and rolling in donkey manure, and his nights howling at the moon. He has been that way since the moment he appeared on the ridgeline behind Rick Bragg's house, a starved and half-dead creature, seventy-six pounds of wet hair and poor decisions. <P><P>Speck arrived in Rick's life at a moment of looming uncertainty. A cancer diagnosis, chemo, kidney failure, and recurring pneumonia had left Rick lethargic and melancholy. Speck helped, and he is helping, still, when he is not peeing on the rose of Sharon. Written with Bragg's inimitable blend of tenderness and sorrow, humor and grit, The Speckled Beauty captures the extraordinary, sustaining devotion between two damaged creatures who need each other to heal. <P><P><b>A New York Times Best Seller</b>
The Spectacular Adventures of Sophie and Sebastian
by Ruth JeyaveeranSophie is a hippo with dreams-BIG dreams that involve flying high through the air on a skateboard. But even Sophie’s best friend, Sebastian, isn’t sure that it’s such a great idea for an O V E R S I Z E hippo to soar and glide. So what’s a hippo like Sophie to do? All day long the other hippos grumble and gossip about her daydreaming ways. If only she could figure out how to make her wish come true . . . Sebastian says Sophie needs a little inspiration. But where will she find it? And, more important, what sort of adventures will she have when she does?
The Spectacular Spencer Gray
by Deb FitzpatrickSpencer Gray is just an ordinary kid, but he manages to get in to some pretty extraordinary situations. Playing soccer at school with his mates he accidentally uncovers a sinister animal smuggling operation and rescues a super-endangered potoroo. But when the smugglers discover him trying to release the potoroo, he risks becoming super-endangered himself. Trussed up and left in the bush, he needs to use all his inner strength and ingenuity to break free and get help. With good friends and a great family to back him up, Spencer manages to triumph in the end. A page-turning adventure story for middle readers.
The Spectacular Tale of Peter Rabbit (Peter Rabbit)
by Emma ThompsonEmma Thompson sends Peter Rabbit to the fair! A fair has come to the Lake District! And Peter and Benjamin are forbidden to go. Driven by their ever-insatiable curiosity, the rabbits sneak into the fair to have a look-around. Mesmerized by all the activity, the rabbits stand incredibly still, watching. Suddenly, a little girl picks up Peter, declaring him to be her stuffed animal prize! Covered in kisses and stuffed in her bag, Peter Rabbit is taken on his first-ever roller coaster. Benjamin is barely able to rescue Peter, and the two bound home, smelling of the fair.
The Spectral Tarsier
by Sharon L. GurskyPart of Prentice Hall's Primate Field Studies series.The Spectral Tarier shares the results of long-term field study by Sharon L. Gursky with a broad audience.
The Speedysaurus
by Rachel BrightAn uplifting tale about perseverance and resilience, by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton, creators of the bestselling The Worrysaurus and The Hugasaurus!Speedysaurus gets her very first bicycle! She is excited to start speeding along and dreams of entering a bicycling competition and winning all the medals! But she keeps WIBBLING and WOBBLING until she FALLS. This little dinosaur is just about ready to give up, but Grannysaurus reminds her that a shaky start doesn't have to mean a wobbly finish. Can Speedysaurus find a new way of looking at things and turn her day around?An empowering story with a reassuring reminder that everyone has a shaky start when trying something new. From the author of the bestselling The Lion Inside and Love Monster, and talented illustrator, Chris Chatterton.
The Spell of the White Sturgeon: The Spell Of The White Sturgeon, The Lost Wagon, Trading Jeff And His Dog, Double
by Jim KjelgaardThe Spell of the White Sturgeon, first published in 1953, is a classic coming-of-age tale of a young man, Ramsay Cartou, making his way north from Chicago to find work in Wisconsin. However, during his trip on Lake Michigan, his boat sinks during a storm. Ramsay makes it ashore with the help of a horse and arrives at Three Points, ready and eager for the job at a tannery. Cartou cannot force himself to work under the tannery boss and finds refuge with a farmer and eventually learns to be a fisherman on Lake Michigan.
The Sphynx Cat (Learning About Cats)
by Joanne MatternDescribes the physical features, habits, history and current uses of the Sphynx cat breed.
The Spider Lady: Nan Songer and her Arachnid World War II Army
by Penny Parker KlostermannPerfect for kids who are fascinated by insects and American history, here is the story of Nan Songer, a little-known hero of World War II, who collected and bred spiders in her home and found new ways to use their silk to help the United States win the war.Venomous spiders, delicate silk, and science experiments filled Nan Songer&’s days and nights—her home in California overflowed with many-legged critters. With inspiration from a friend, Nan began to study how spider silk could be harvested. The finely woven material spiders used to create webs was much stronger than it looked, and Nan was eager to unlock its potential and hopefully help her country at the same time. At the height of WWII, she studied different spiders before landing on the poisonous black widow as the perfect spider to experiment with. Their strong silk could be used for crosshairs on rifles, which Nan used to fill massive orders for the US military. Despite the danger posed by black widows, Nan wasn&’t deterred—she wanted to play her part. Using a device she built for extracting silk, Nan humanely used it on the deadly spiders to get both extra fine and super heavy silk.
The Spider Man
by Dean DurberAnansi is a big and hairy spider with long, tickling legs! To prove his bravery, he decides to join a ghost fight and wins battle after battle. After waking up from an odd dream, however, his outlook on life changes. He learns the lesson of a lifetime—the power of love and never giving up! Can Anansi teach his friends the same important lesson?
The Spider Siege (Battle Bugs #2)
by Jack PattonNever leave a bug behind-- collect all the Battle Bugs books!Back to Bug Island!General Komodo and his army are on the attack. Komodo has assembled a fleet of fearsome horned lizards for a mountain assault. The Battle Bugs have to come up with an airtight plan-or risk losing everything.Max's return to Bug Island is dangerous--but the Battle Bugs need his help !
The Spider Who Blew Bubbles
by Marianne V. MartinoSpencer is a curious young spider who decides to disregard his mother's warnings and ventures beyond the safety of their tree-bound web to explore the neighbouring apartment complex parking lot. He accidentally lands on Charlie Car and catches a soapy ride to the car wash. After a dizzying 'day at the spa,' as Charlie calls it, Spencer emerges squeaky clean, wax-coated, and burping bubbles! This charming story follows Spencer's disobedient adventure and the funny mess he gets himself into when he doesn't listen to mom. Children will love the humour and relatable characters as they learn about the importance of heeding parental advice.
The Spider and the Fly
by Derek W SmithThe very second Eddie the fly flew into the spider's web he knew he was in trouble, big, big trouble. No matter how much he wriggled or kicked, he just kept tying himself into tighter and tighter knots. He would still be there today, had it not been for the kind-hearted Sybil, who just happened to be coming along at the very time that Eddie couldn't move and offered to lend him a helping hand, even though Sybil is a spider!
The Spider: The Disgusting Critters Series (Disgusting Critters)
by Elise GravelPart of a series of hilarious nonfiction about disgusting creatures, this book looks at the spider. It covers such topics as the spider's habitats (pretty much everywhere but outer space), the silk it spins (it can trap prey and makes a nifty bowtie), and its parenting practice (female spiders carry around their eggs in a silk purse). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Spider contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.
The Spiky Stegosaurus (Dinosaur Train)
by Andrea Posner-Sanchez Dave AikinsKids ages 2-5 love watching the hit series Dinosaur Train on PBS KIDS--and they love reading about their favorite dinosaurs! This Little Golden Book retells an episode in which Buddy and Tiny spend the day with Morris Stegosaurus and find out all about his cool, spiky tail.From the Hardcover edition.
The Spinner Prince (Pride Wars)
by Matt Laney"Readers who like Erin Hunter&’s books will race through this title and will be highly anticipating the sequel."--School Library Journal, review —
The Spirit of Animal Healing: An Integrative Medicine Guide to a Higher State of Well-being
by Marty GoldsteinThe Spirit of Animal Healing is the follow up to Dr. Marty Goldstein's bestselling book on holistic veterinary medicine, The Nature of Animal Healing.It is chock full of the very latest integrative medical knowledge (which combines conventional therapies with complementary and alternative medicine). Coupled with the vast amount of specialized expertise and learning Dr. Marty has gained from his own practice over the past 45 years, the book takes readers on a journey to the leading edge of integrative veterinary understanding to achieve greater insight into the minds and bodies of their animal companions.However, this book is not simply a new edition of Dr. Marty's first book with some refreshed content. It is a completely new book in which Dr. Marty turns the traditional approach to animal care upside down. The Spirit of Animal Healing provides readers with the most up to-date tools and knowledge they need to keep their dogs and cats healthy and prevent disease from occurring in the first place, instead of just treating their animal companions when they are sick.Topics covered include:*Nutrition and supplements*Integrative remedies and harmful treatments*Cutting edge therapies*The truth about vaccinations*The latest in cancer treatments*The spiritual nature of animals*True, mind-blowing cases from over the years-And much more!
The Spirit of the Hive
by Robert E. Page Jr.How can 40,000 bees working in the dark, by instinct alone, construct a honey comb? Synthesizing decades of experiments, The Spirit of the Hive presents the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying the division of labor in honey bee colonies and explains how it is an inevitable product of group living, evolving over millions of years.
The Spiritual Nature of Animals: A Country Vet Explores the Wisdom, Compassion, and Souls of Animals
by Karlene StangeBeloved Companions, Kindred Spirits Karlene Stange’s spiritual journey began as she drove her pickup loaded with medical supplies to attend to animals throughout southwestern Colorado, where the Animas River carves the landscape. As an ambulatory veterinarian, she has experienced the challenges, sorrows, and joys of working with creatures great and small and feels a powerful kinship with these beautiful beings, a bond that goes beyond flesh and fur and feathers. The Spiritual Nature of Animals chronicles her amazing exploration through the teachings of various religious and cultural traditions, as well as her encounters with the magnificent Rocky Mountain terrain and the quirky characters — both animal and human — who inhabit it.
The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock
by Bill PeetPrewitt was a wild peacock who lived far out in the jungle where most wild peacocks live. However, Prewitt was not as proud as a peacock, for he had nothing at all to be proud of. Prewitt was indeed a sad peacock as his tail was no more than a few scraggly feathers with only two eyespots.